breakdown

The definition of a breakdown is a mechanical failure, a collapse of a system of authority, a failure of a relationship or interaction, or a collapse of someone's mental health and a descent into permanent or temporary craziness.

When your car stops working and will no longer start, this is an example of a breakdown.

When everyone loses respect for a teacher and stops listening to that teacher at all, this is an example of a breakdown of authority.

When you tell your spouse to meet you at the restaurant you both like the best and he thinks that you mean a different restaurant and doesn't understand you correctly, this is an example of a breakdown of communication.

When your boyfriend breaks up with you and you become severely depressed and try to kill yourself and need therapy, this is an example of a breakdown.

This mans car has had a breakdown.

breakdown

noun

an act, instance, or result of breaking down; specif.,

a failure to work or function properly: breakdown of a machine, of authority, etc.

a failure of health; physical, mental, or emotional collapse

decomposition

a separation into parts; analysis

☆ a lively, shuffling American country dance

breakdown

noun

a. The act or process of failing to function or continue.

b. The condition resulting from this: a breakdown in communication.

Electricity The abrupt failure of an insulator or insulating medium to restrict the flow of current.

A typically sudden collapse in physical or mental health.

An analysis, an outline, or a summary consisting of itemized data or essentials.

Disintegration or decomposition into parts or elements.

a. A noisy, energetic American country dance.

b. The music for this dance.

A popular dance originating in the early 1970s, performed to funk music.